This is the first half of the second chapter, once again, I'll post the second half on here eventually.

Please give me good, constructive reviews! I want this to be in really good shape.

Also, if you haven't already, take a look at the edits from the first chapter on the firs post. I have pictures of how I picture Alana and Face

Thanks for reading

Chapter 2.

Loss

When I was younger, and people didn’t expect anything from me, Master Lain would call me his ‘secret weapon’. Since I’m a girl, no one thought I would really amount to much in the martial arts world because apparently girls don’t fight.

Well, I guess the secret got out and now I am the defending World Champion. This last April I broke the Japanese ten year winning streak at Worlds and I am looking to do it again.

As soon as our big, black and blue bus rolled to a stop outside the Los Angeles Civic Center, people gathered around, anxious to get a glimpse of the best martial arts academy in the country. Security personnel forced people to back up. The doors of our bus creaked open and Master Lain proudly walked out to loud claps and cheers. Madame Lyons followed him and he took her arm. I went next, followed closely by Face and Eli. The crowd erupted into cheers. “Long live the Dream Team!” they screamed.

That’s us. The ‘Dream Team’. Eli, Face and I. The three of us made up the world team that defeated the Japanese. Since no one had come close in a decade, and the three of us did so well, people now referred to us as the ‘Dream Team’.

A pimple-faced boy in a red vest led the academy to our holding room. As soon as he left, Master Lain stood up on a table and demanded attention.

All the little kids were super excited. This was their first competition and they were practically bouncing with joy.

“Quiet!” Master Lain yelled. No one dared make a sound. “Everyone concentrate! We have been working far too long for you to start goofing off now.”

The younger kids now looked upset with themselves.

“Beginner fighters get ready now. Check the wall over there for what pool you’re in. The fights begin in about half an hour.” A few kids trickled out. “The rest of you know what to do.” Master Lain jumped down and helped the beginners get ready.

I wouldn’t begin fighting for several hours so my only real goal was just to stay completely focused. I pulled my iPod out of my bag and flipped to my ‘Pre-fight play list’. I retreated to my own little secluded corner, closed my eyes and let the music prepare me.

In martial arts there are four levels: the beginners, novice, expert, and masters. When you are three years old you can begin training. When you turn six you are allowed to start competing. When you turn seventeen, that’s the last year you can compete but many stop when they’re sixteen. At the end of each season, masters retire and their spots need to be filled, the best experts fill their spots and then everyone else moves up as well. Usually you’re in each level about two or three years.

About twenty minutes after the beginners left, Eli and I went to go watch them. We had hours to kill and the only real thing to do was watch everyone else and look for prospective talent.

While the beginners fought Eli and I whispered to each other the mistakes they made and figured out everyone’s weakness. It was a little game we played. Who can find the weakness faster?

Our academy was doing well. We always did. Master Lain stood on the side and yelled encouragement to the competitors. Whenever one of our kids won he would punch the air with his fist.

After almost an hour of fighting, we left to get a snack. We were supposed to eat and drink frequently throughout the day to keep up our stamina, provided that we ate and drank things that were healthy.

The two of us got back to the arena in time to see the beginner finals. Three of our five beginners were in the finals. Each academy is allowed five beginners, four novice, three expert, and three master fighters. Each private trainer is allowed four beginners, three novice, two expert, and two master fighters.

In the end, Damien from the National Academy of Martial Arts, (NAMA) won.

The rest of the day was more of the same. Isaac, who is privately trained by Fred Jones, won the Novice division. Kyle, privately trained by Ben Rogers, won the Expert division.

Now it was time to get in the zone. I had thirty minutes until the start of the Master fights. I put my headphones back in and turned to my ‘Fighting play list’. This wonderfully compiled list of music focused my mind and made me completely engrossed in martial arts.

I walked down to the fighting arena with Master Lain, Eli and Face. The final song ended and I placed my iPod back in my bag. I was ready.

The announcer came on and introduced all the academies and their master fighters. He saved ours for last. “And finally, from Master Lain’s National Martial Arts Academy, please welcome Eli, Face, and your defending World Champion, Alana!”

The crowd roared.

I heard nothing.

There were forty-seven masters competing, representing nine academies and ten private trainers. Competitions are set up in tournament format. There are six pools. You compete within your pool. Lose a fight and your out. The winner of each pool moves into the finals.

I was in the second pool.

I stretched out my long, lean muscles and prepared for my first fight.

I was up against Aaron, a fourteen year old who was privately trained by Eric Fisher. I felt bad for him. This was his first year as a master and he was up against me, the defending World Champion. Plus, this was my first fight of the day so I had a lot of built-up energy. I finished it practically before it started.

I worked my way through my pool with ease. I didn’t think. I just acted. My legs flew without thought. I didn’t need to think. I was in the zone.

Akon, a fifteen year old from Chris Mealson’s National Martial Arts Academy, (CMNMAA), and Geech, a fourteen year old from Master Chan’s Martial Arts Academy, (MCMAA), didn’t stand a chance.

I sat and waited for the finals to start. Master Lain handed me a bottle of water and I downed over half of it in one gulp. The only thing I could think about was winning and the few remaining guys that stood in my way.

Eli sat down beside me and downed almost all of his water, the rest he poured on his head. We didn’t say a word to each other.

The fight assignments showed up on the giant screen hanging over the arena.

Nyle vs. Gabriel

Eli vs. Face

Vinn vs. Alana

Eli groaned from beside me. He knew he couldn’t beat Face. “You’ll do fine,” I said as I patted him on the back, before getting up.

Vinn seemed to be in the finals on a lot of luck. This was his first year as a master. However, from what I had seen of him, he did have quite a bit of skill.

I didn’t have to think about it. I just moved. And kicked. And blocked. And won.

It was effortless.

Face beat Eli and Gabriel beat Nyle. Face had a pass, so I would fight Gabriel.

I knew he would be a slightly more challenging fight. He had two more years of experience than I did but I also knew that wouldn’t matter that much.

Block. Kick. Win. Easy as breathing.

I got a quick breather before facing my only real challenge. Face. He smirked as I stepped up to face him. “Ready to lose?” He smiled.

“Are you?” I smiled back.

I attacked first. I always do. But he rounded back and kicked me faster than I could block him. When I tried to kick back, he blocked me and got in another kick. Shit. Did he actually know how to beat me? His next kick proved the point. Shit, shit, shit. He did. I tried one last time to get him down but he blocked it and sent me to the floor.

“Winner, Face!” the announcer cried.

I got myself up and shook Face’s hand. He was disgustingly happy with himself. “Nice work. Maybe you’re not as thick-headed as I thought you were,” I said smugly.

“Maybe you should pay more attention instead of trying to inflate your big head even more,” he smirked.

“Alright you two, break it up. Save it for training.” Master Lain grabbed our arms and separated us before thrusting a fresh bottle of water into each of our hands.

I continued to glare at Face as I sat down by Eli and chugged my water.

“Its okay, Lana. You’ll get him next time.” He patted my back in reassurance.